Derek Morris

After the 2001-02 NHL season, the league was in a position no league ever wants to be in — wondering what it should do to prevent another fan from dying at one of its games.

On March 16, 2002, 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil was attending a Blue Jackets home game when Flames defenseman Derek Morris deflected a slap shot from Espen Knutsen. The puck flew into the stands and struck Cecil in the head. Two days later, Cecil died from complications stemming from her injury.

At the owners' meetings after that season, the league instituted a policy — protective netting in front of the crowd behind each goal.

Related "Derek Morris" Articles

After the 2001-02 NHL season, the league was in a position no league ever wants to be in — wondering what it should do to prevent another fan from dying at one of its games.
On March 16, 2002, 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil was attending a Blue Jackets home...